Trenching machine



Sept. 8, 1970 I c. TAYLOR 3,52

TRENCHING MACHINE FiledMarch 11, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

C lifron I. Taylor ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1970 c. l. TAYLOR TRENCHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 11, 1968 ag\or ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1970 c. TAYLOR 3, 7

TRENCHING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Clwfioni Tagbr WM/ fwfih ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,528,078 TRENCHING MACHINE Clifton I. Taylor, Rte. 1, Box 139E, Sanford, Fla. 32771 Filed Mar. 11, 1968, Ser. No. 711,973 Int. Cl. EOZf /06 US. C]. 3786 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Trenching machine having frame supported at its corners by front and rear Wheel assemblies with means to vary elevation of frame relative to wheels. Downwardly extending digger unit on frame intermediate wheel assemblies discharges material against spreader plate and conveyor means then moves material further from trench.

This invention relates to a trenching machine and has for an object the provision of a machine of the character designated which shall be capable of digging a trench of uniform depth, of straight, even sides, and with the dirt moved evenly away from the sides of the trench.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trench ing machine which shall embody improved means for controlling the depth of the trench being dug and for steering the machine in operation.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a trenching machine that shall be especially adapted for digging trenches in preparation for laying the concrete foundations of buildings and which shall be capable of turning at right angles for the corners of such trenches.

More particular objects of my invention are to provide a foundation trenching machine which shall include:

(1) Improved mounting means for the digger elements;

(2) Improved spreader means for moving dirt away from the sides of the trench;

(3) Improved drive means for the machine; and

(4) Improved means for controlling the depth of the trench being dug.

Briefly, my improved trenching machine embodies a rectangular frame and mounted intermediate the ends of the frame and rigidly mounted thereon is a transverse beam upon which is mounted a digger chain and conveyor means for moving dirt away from the sides of the trench, all to be described more particularly thereafter. The rectangular frame is supported by hydraulic cylinders upon front driving wheel assembles and a rear wheel assembly, the latter being designed to travel in the trench being dug. Included in the hydraulic support are means to raise and lower the frame together with the digger chain and thereby control the depth of the trench being dug. The front supporting wheel assemblies are driven by hydraulic motors and means are included in the hydraulic system whereby to control the direction and speed of the digger chain in its work. Motive power for the machine consists of an internal combustion engine driving a hydraulic pump with hydraulic motors for each of the front supporting wheels and hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the rectangular frame. The rectangular frame is preferably made hollow so as to form a part of the reservoir for the hydraulic fluid.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view with parts broken away;

FIG. 2a is a detail sectional view showing the motor drive for the front wheel assembly;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4a is a sectional view taken along the line 4a-4a of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a detailed isometric view looking in the direction of the arrows 55 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detail view illustrating the supporting means for the forward end of the rectangular frame;

FIG. 6a is a detail sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows fizz-6a of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view partly in section illustrating the support for the rear end of the rectangular frame;

FIG. 8 is a detailed elevational view showing the mounting of the internal combustion engine and the drive for the hydraulic pump; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic system employed with my improved machine.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention I show a main frame comprised of side members 10 and 11 and end members 12 and 13. As shown, the rectangular frame members are preferably made of tubing rectangular in cross section and may form a part of the oil reservoir or hydraulic fluid reservoir employed by me.

Joined rigidly to the side frame members -10 and 11 and extending across the frame is a transverse beam 15. Adjustably mounted upon the transverse beam 15 is a bracket 14 which supports a bearing cage 14a. Mounted in the bearing cage 14a is a shaft 16- upon which are mounted sprockets 17 and 18 over which digging chains 19 and 21 are trained. At the lower end the digging chains pass around idler pulleys 22 and '23 (see FIG. 4). The idler pulleys 22 and 23 are mounted in brackets 20 secured to the downwardly extending channel members 24 and 26 which are carried by and mounted on the cross beam 15. The chains 19 and 21 are joined by brackets 27 upon which digging elements 28 are mounted. As will be seen from FIG. 3 the digging elements 28 are at uniformly varying distances along the chains starting from center to the sides, whereby to insure the digging elements entering the earth entirely across the trench being dug. It also results in moving earth towards the sides of the trench. The digger chains are driven by a hydraulic motor 29, the hydraulic system to be described more particularly hereafter.

Mounted between the digger chains -19 and 21 is a bearing bracket 31 housing a shaft 32 with conveyor flights 33 and 34 on the opposite ends thereof. The bearing bracket 31 is supported by means of a pair of shafts 35 and 36 having rollers 37 and 38 on the ends thereof which ride in the channels '24 and 26, see FIG. 4a. The shaft 32 also has sprockets 39 and 41 thereon which mesh with the digger chains 19 and 21. The shaft 32 extends outside the channels 24 and 26 as may be seen in FIG. 4 of the drawing. The sprockets 39 and 41 mesh with the upgoing flights of the chains 19 and 21 and each is mounted to move alongside the channels 24 and 26 and therefore are prevented from shifting laterally. The shaft 32 is caused to rotate by reason of the sprockets 39 and 4-1 meshing with the digger chains while gravity causes it to ride with its conveyor flights 33 and 34 on the sides of the trench being dug. By this means dirt thrown out by the digger elements is pushed further away from the sides of the trench.

Mounted in front of the digger chain, and supported from the front Wheel assembly, between the side members 10 and 11 of the frame, and ahead of the trench being dug, is a shield 42 (shown in detail in FIG. 5). As may be seen in FIG. 1 the shield 42 is supported by a bracket 30 eX- tending from the front wheel assemblies. Theshield 42 is provided with a triangular protrusion 43. When the machine is in operation, dirt which is carried upwardly by the forward upward moving flight of the digger chain is thrown against the shield and the guiding angular protiusion 43 causes the dirt to fall alongside the trench being dug. It is then engaged by the conveyor elements 33 and 34 and pushed further to the sides of the trench.

Also mounted between the frame members 10 and 11, and closely spaced with respect to the rear of the digger chain is a shield 46 which is rigidly supported transversely of the machine between the frame members 10 and 11 and a movable lower transverse shield member 47 which is suspended by means of springs 48 from the rear of the cross frame member 12 and which is mounted to move slidingly in a bracket 49 mounted on the rear wheel yoke 51. The shield 47 is provided with sleeves 52 and 53 which slide on rods 54 (only the one being shown) carried by the shield 47. The shield 47 is provided, on its lower end with a forwardly turned scraper blade 40 which engages the loose earth in the bottom of the trench being dug and directs it against the digger chains 19 and 21. The positioning of the shield 47 closely adjacent the digger chains is very important as it prevents the accumulation of loose earth in the bottom of the trench being dug.

The machine thus far described is supported by three wheel assemblies, two at front and. one at the rear. The two front wheel assemblies 50 and 60 each comprises a pair of wheels mounted in a yoke 56 with an axle 57 extending therethrough. A tube 58 is joined to the yoke 55 of the left assembly, as viewed in FIG. 2, and a tube 59 is joined to and extends upwardly from the yoke 56 of the right hand wheel assembly. The tubes 58 and 59 extend upwardly and pass through sleeves 61 and 62 at the front end of the side frame members 10 and 11 and fit slidingly therein. A hydraulic cylinder 63 is mounted on the forward cross frame member 13 and is provided with a downwardly acting piston 64 and a piston rod 66 which extends down below the frame member 13. On the lower end of the piston rod 66 are a pair of pulleys 67 and 67 and mounted on the upper end of the cylinder 63 is a crank arm 68 and Windlass 69 through and over which passes a cable 71. The two flights of the cable 71 pass downwardly and over the pulleys 67 and 67', then upwardly on opposite sides of the piston rod 66, over pulleys 72 and 73 mounted on cross frame member 13, to pulleys 74 and 76 mounted on the end of the frame members 10 and 11 and thence upwardly where they are connected to the upper ends of the tubes 58 and 59 which extend upwardly from the wheel assembly 50 and 60 through the sleeves 61 and '62. With this arrangement it will be seen that when the piston 64 is actuated to move downwardly, the distance between the pulleys 74 and 76 and the upper ends of the tubes 58 and '9 will be shortened and therefore the frame at the front of the machine will be raised. It will also be seen that when the Windlass 69 is rotated by the crank 68 the cable 71 will be lengthened on one side of the Windlass and shortened on the opposite side, thereby raising the frame on one side with respect to the wheel assembly on that side of the machine, and lowering it with respect to the wheel assembly on the opposite side. This arrangement is very important when digging trenches on sloping ground, and by this means the machine frame may be maintained in a horizontal position at all times.

Each of the wheel assemblies is driven by a hydraulic motor, the assembly 50 being driven by a hydraulic motor 78 and the assembly 60 being driven by a hydraulic motor 79. Each of the hydraulic motors drives through a sprocket and chain drive 81 and 82. As will be shown later, these motors may be actuated forward or reverse, in unison.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 6a of the drawing, the tubes 58 and 59 have secured thereto, at the top, lever arms 83 and 84 the two arms being connected by a radius rod 86. An operating arm 87 is connected to the arm 83. The tubes 58 and 59 being freely rotatable in the sleeves 61 and 62, the wheel assemblies 55 and 56 may be thus turned to guide the machine in the desired direction. By the means,

the machine may be turned at right angles to form a trench at right angles.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, I shOW the support for the rear wheel assembly 51. Joined to, and extending downwardly from, the rear cross frame member 12 is a tubular supporting member 89, preferably rectangular in cross section. Joined to and extending upwardly from the wheel assembly 51 is a tubular member 91 which fits slidingly inside the tubular member 89. Mounted inside the tubular member 89 is a hydraulic cylinder 92 having its piston rod 93 connected to the upper end of the inner supporting member 91. When the hydraulic cylinder is actuated, it acts to raise or lower the frame of the machine, as the case may be, with respect to the wheel assembly 51, or lower it as the case may be. By this means the angle of entry of the digger chain is changed.

Mounted on the downwardly supporting member 89 is a bracket 94 upon which is mounted an internal combusti'on engine 96. The engine 96, through a belt and pulley drive 97, drives a hydraulic pump 98, see FIG. 9. The pump 98, through a conduit 99, delivers fluid under pressure to a divider 100 which delivers of the fluid through a conduit 101, and 15% through a conduit 10 2. The conduit 101 leads to a selector valve 103 while the conduit 102 delivers fluid to a speed control valve 104. Whenever it is desired to direct all of the hydraulic fluid to the motors 78 and 79, driving the front wheel assembly, the selector valve 103 is operated to direct all of the hydraulic fluid to conduit 102 and to those motors. When the machine is in digging operation the selector valve is in position to direct 85% of the fluid to the motor 29 through the digger motor control valve 108. When the machine is moving from place to place or as otherwise required, of the hydraulic fluid is directed from the selector valve 103 through conduits 109 and 102 to the Speed control valve 104 and thence through conduits 111 to control valves 112 and thence to the motors 78- and 79 which drive the front wheel assemblies. Hydraulic fluid from the conduit 111 may also pass through the control valve 112 to control valves 113 and 114 which may deliver fluid selectively through conduits 116 and 117 to the hydraulic cylinders 63 and 92 which raise and lower the front and rear ends of the frame respectively. 'Fluid after passing through the motor 29 is delivered through a return conduit 118 to a fluid reservoir 122, mounted between the forward ends of the side frame members 10 and 11, and fluid passing through the control valves 112, 113, 114 is delivered to a conduit 121 back to the reservoir 122. As before stated the rectangular frame members may form a part of the fluid reservoir. The pump 98 withdraws fluid from the reservoir 122 through conduit 123 to a filter 124 and thence to the pump 98. As will be seen from FIG. 2 of the drawing, the valves 103, 108, 112, 113 and 114 are all located on the front of the machine, readily accessible to the operator.

From the foregoing, the operation of my improved trenching machine will be readily understood. In starting to dig a trench, the frame is lowered by means of the hydraulic cylinders 92 at the rear and 63 at the front. This lowers the digger frame with the digger chains 19 and 21 to the required depth of the trench. The depth of the trench is regulated by the position of the frame with respect to the wheel assemblies. The selector valve 103 is positioned to direct 85% of the hydraulic fluid to the digger motor 29 and 15% through the conduit 109 and the speed control valve 104 to the traction motors 78 and 79. The machine is thus driven at a relatively low rate of speed over the ground while the digger motor drives the digger chain at its maximum speed. Dirt carried upwardly by the upgoing flight of the digger chain is thrown against the spreader plate 42 which directs it toward the side of the trench while the shields 46 and 47 prevent dirt from being thrown rearwardly but direct it downwardly to be picked up again by the digger chain.

The conveyor assembly with its shaft 32 and conveyor flights 33 and 34 move downwardly by gravity while the shaft 32 is rotated by reason of the sprockets 39 and 41 meshing with the digger chains 19 and 21. The dirt which has fallen along the side of the trench is thus moved well out of the way. By means of my improved trenching machine, I am capable of digging a trench in preparation for the foundation of a building quickly and with a minimum of labor and one with clean straight sides which are so necessary in the preparation for laying a foundation. As shown, the operator of the machine is at the front and walks backwards. He can thus clearly observe the operation of the machine.

While I have described my invention in but one form it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is susceptible to various changes and modifications, without parting from the spirit thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A trench digging machine comprising:

(a) a rectangular frame,

(b) a rear wheel assembly supporting the rear end of said frame,

(c) a front wheel assembly at each front corner of the rectangular frame,

(d) a tube mounted on and extending upwardly from each front wheel assembly alongside the frame.

(e) a sleeve at each front corner of the frame through which its associated tube slidingly fits,

(f) a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the frame between the sides thereof,

(g) a piston and piston rod movable vertically in the cylinder,

(h) a pair of pulleys on the lower end of the piston rod,

(i) a Windlass mounted on top of the hydraulic cylinder,

(j) a cable on and extending through the Windlass having flights extending downwardly therefrom and under the pulleys,

(k) a pulley at each front corner of the frame under which one flight of the cable passes,

(1) means to secure the ends of the cable, one to the upper end of each tube, whereby the distance between the frame and the wheel assemblies varies with the position of the piston and the distance between the frame and each separate wheel assembly varies with the position of the Windlass,

(m) trench digging mechanism rigidly mounted on the frame intermediate the front and rear thereof and extending downwardly therefrom,

(n) power means for driving the wheel assemblies and the trench digging mechanism, and

(0) means to steer the front wheel assemblies.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 295,281 3/ 1884 Purcell 37-94 601,231 3/ 1898 Blackburn 280-47.11

894,933 8/1908 Benson 28043.19 2,231,983 2/ 1941 Zuckerman 37-86 2,621,427 12/ 1952 Hulse 2806.1 XR 2,714,262 8/1955 Malzahn 37-86 2,714,773 8/1955 Stewart 37-191 XR 2,715,029 8/1955 Compton 280-4323 XR 2,736,568 2/1956 Martin 280-4319 2,782,534 2/1957 Wall 37-85 2,800,336 7/1957 Major et a1. 28047.l1 3,015,175 l/l962 Smith 37-192 3,057,089 10/1962 Kiechel et a1 37-90 3,099,098 7/ 1963 Davis 37-86 3,348,624 10/1967 Just et al -66 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner C. D. CROWDER, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

